Support Grows at ASA for Fight Against Breast Cancer

Faculty, Staff, and Students Join Sunday Annual Walk

Brooklyn, New York – A record number of 40 people representing faculty, staff, and students at ASA participated in this year’s American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk on Sunday, October 19, 2008.  The event draws thousands of marchers annually and raises hundreds of thousands of dollars to benefit the fight against the deadly global disease which claims over 40,000 lives in the U.S. each year and is the second leading cause of death in women, after lung cancer.  Statistics show that this year alone, 182,460 women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer.

Coming out in full force at Prospect Park and wearing official event shirts, ASA fights for community health causes.

“I am very pleased with this year’s turnout for the walk,” Ms. Shanthi Konkoth, Vice President of Education said.  “It’s great to see people from ASA joining thousands who are marching on a Sunday for a very important cause.”  Ms. Rosalind Collazo, Chairperson of the Division of Health Disciplines, noted that when she initiated ASA’s participation in the walk back in 2004, only six people marched.  Last year, there were 24 marchers.  She said that the steady growth in participation can be attributed to the increased publicity and success of other healthcare-related activities such as community health fairs organized by the Division throughout the year.  “We have to continue strengthening our presence in the community and get everyone at ASA involved in confronting health issues.  This is the only way we can stay relevant as an institution of higher learning, “she said.

Ms. Konkoth gives credit to Alex Shchegol, President of ASA Institute, who has always been very supportive of the Walk.  “The leadership of ASA has been phenomenal at supporting this very important cause,” she said.  ASA pays for the Breast Cancer Awareness T-shirts and transportation for the marchers.  This is in addition to the money that the school raises for the walk each year.

Among those who participated in the walk was Ms. Vicky Shtamler, Asst. Vice President of Financial Aid, who urges even greater participation for ASA in the coming years.  “It’s such a great feeling to be part of something really important for the community,” she said.  “Joining the walk makes me feel proud!”